Improvement in vulcanized-rubber rings for boot and shoe heels



PATENT ()FFIO'E.

WILLIAM H. TOWERS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN VULCANlZED-RUBBER RINGS FOR BOOT AND SHOE HEELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 122,869, dated January16, 1872.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. TOWERS, of Boston, in the county ofSuffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement inVulcanized-Rubber Taps for Boots and Shoes to prevent slipping on iceand pavements; and I hereby declare the following to be a full and exactdescription of the same.

This invention consists of a flat ring or washer of soft vulcanizedrubber of suitable diameter to cover or nearly cover the bottom of theheel of a boot or shoe. Heretofore there have been both plates andcomposition of rubber, either plain, corrugated, or filled with sand,emery, and the like, to be attached to the heels and soles of boots'andshoes. When properly made they have some utility, but are cXpen-' sive.The object of my invention is to provide a simple cheap article whichthe wearer may attach to any ordinary boot or shoe as required, and whennot worn and wanted, may

be torn off. I

The following description will enable any one to make and use myinvention. I take the vulcanizable compound of caoutchouc or rubber orother vulcaniza-ble gum, and form sheets the same as for the manufactureof elastic rolls for wringers and the like. This sheet is then rolledaround a mandrel or core to the depth of from half an inch tothree-quarters of an inch, more or less. The mandrel should be fromthree-eighths to half an inch in diameter. The roll is then vulcanizedin the ordinary way so as to form an elastic roll. From this roll I cutwashers or rings about an eighth of an inch in thickness, or the ringsmay be cut from the roll and'then vulcanized. This ring or washer, madeof the material and in the form described, constitutes my invention.

When used it is to be attached to the heel of the boot orshoe by meansof tacks, screws, pegs, or cement. When tacks are used I prefer thecommon copper tacks as they are not affected by the sulphur in therubber. As only the heel of the boot or shoe is covered by the washer,the leather on the ball of the shoe holds on to such surfaces as rubberwould slip on. The hole in the center of the rubberring also takes holdof any irregularities of the ice, and assists in preventing slipping in.any direction. The cost of the article is so small that when once used,if not again re quired, it may be torn off and thrown away.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

Aflat ring of vulcanized rubber orits equivalent, suitable for attachingto the heels of boots and shoes, the same being a new article ofmanufacture.

WM. H. TOWERS.

Witnesses FRANK EvANs,

